Oakland Roots got the job done in San Antonio, reeling in their first win against the Texas team since joining the USL Championship in 2021 with its 2-1 victory.
Now with 10 points and a 3-1-5 league record, Roots finish the weekend in ninth place but just three points back of FC Tulsa in fourth. They are equal points with Sacramento and Orange County above them, along with 10th-place Phoenix Rising.
Jorge Hernandez worked his magic for the game’s opening goal in the 12th minute, but Roots quickly responded in the 25th when Peter Wilson drew a penalty kick–enabling Jose Luis Sinisterra to slot in the spot try.
Roots’ game-winner in the 84th came on a disastrous giveaway by San Antonio GK Richard Sanchez. When attempting an overhand toss over Wilson to his nearest teammate, Sanchez lost control. Wilson was there to take control, taking one touch before sending a shot into the empty net.
Here are our top-10 player ratings from Saturday.
Kendall McIntosh, 8.5
We named Kendall McIntosh our RootsBlog Man of the Match for his big saves on Saturday night. He finished with five saves from shots inside the box, had one high claim, 10 recoveries, and completed eight of 15 long balls.
McIntosh’s save in the 16th minute came in close quarters, where he needed an ultra-quick reaction to stop Luis Paredes just feet in front of him. His biggest save came in the 77th on another shot inside the box, this time making a big dive to his right to keep the shot out. It may have been his best save of the season thus far.
Peter Wilson, 8.5
We gave McIntosh the edge over Peter Wilson for MOTM because the game-winner never happens without Richard Sanchez’s all-timer of a blunder. Still, without Wilson’s work, Roots would likely not have gained points against the SAFC. This match may have been a testament to what Wilson can do when he’s at his best: be a nuisance and capitalize in key moments.
Drawing the penalty kick toward Sinisterra’s goal in the 25th minute was a testament to his work rate and intuition when receiving contact. He also generated Roots’ first big chance in the third minute of action after winning the ball against a defender atop San Antonio’s penalty area. Sanchez came out to press, which caused Wilson to struggle getting the ball out of his feet and rolling it wide, but he still did well to cause problems. He also nearly chipped one past Sanchez in the 30th and drew the foul on Mitch Taintor’s late red card.
Despite the 84th-minute game-winner being the ultimate gift, Wilson still stayed composed and took a touch to free himself away from Sanchez before slotting in the shot.
Jose Luis Sinisterra, 8
Although Jose Luis Sinisterra only ot 66 minutes of work, he still seemed to thrive in the center forward role of Gavin Glinton’s 3-4-1-2. Per his heatmap, Sinisterra sat a little deeper than Wilson, but got work in some similar areas. Moving Sini a little bit higher up the field seemed to utilize his ability to hold the ball, use his instincts, and create plays.
His penalty kick goal was cool, calm, and collected–rolling the ball to the right of Sanchez. Jose finished with 31 total touches, one touch in the box, completed one pass into the final third, 2/2 long balls, won three duels, and took two shots.
Neveal Hackshaw, 7.8
Neveal Hackshaw gets credit for helping create the penalty kick after heading the ball back centrally following a long free kick from Panos Armenakas. Hackshaw has arguably been in his best run of form since coming to the organization.
He finished with seven passes into the final third, won three duels, one tackle, had eight clearances with seven by header, and had one touch inside the box.
Bobosi Byaruhanga, 7.8
Bobosi Byaruhanga has turned into a must-start central midfielder and was heavily involved with 51 total touches. He completed seven passes into the final third and six long balls, but made a good impact on the defensive side. Bobosi won two tackles, had two clearances, had nine recoveries, and won four duels.
Wolfgang Prentice, 7.3
Wolfgang Prentice kicked out wide to the left midfield role in Glinton’s 3-4-1-2. It seemed to work, taking pressure off Prentice to hold up the ball in central areas. With 42 touches, Wolfy completed two passes into the final third and won four duels.
Panos Armenakas, 7.3
Panos Armenakas got his first start since April 5 against Rhode Island, playing in the #10 role to kick Sinisterra up to center forward. It seemed to work with Panos moving fluidly with Sini. He sent the long ball from a free kick to set up the penalty kick in the first half. He helped create Sinisterra’s long shot in the 19th minute and sent a dangerous pass across the face of the goal in the 48th.
Armenakas finished with two chances created, took one touch in the box, completed four passes into the final third, and two long balls.
Kai Greene, 7
Kai Greene looked good as a distributor with seven passes into the final third and was efficient on long balls, completing 4/5. He also won a tackle, had three clearances, two recoveries, and won two duels.
Tyler Gibson, 7
Tyler Gibson may not have made huge headlines on Saturday night, but he is helping provide Roots’ best midfield duo since 2022 as a solidifying leadership presence. He completed six passes into the final third, one long ball, blocked one shot, and won one duel.
Julian Bravo, 6.8
Julian Bravo continues to show he’s a must-start at the left center back spot. He completed seven passes into the final third, one long ball, one successful dribble, blocked two shots, won one tackle and four duels.